Hello, I'm have an issue with my 2002 Stratus ES (2.7 L V6, 147,000 miles) that seems to be stumping the mechanics in my small town, and I'm hoping somebody here can help me. About a week ago I noticed some white smoke coming out of my exhaust during moderate to heavy acceleration. It would not do this consistently though. Without even shutting off the engine it would start and then stop. One time it was smoking quite a bit when revved up (only 3,000 rpms) in neutral, I then shut the car off for 1-2 minutes. When I restarted it, it did not smoke again until it was driven for another 8 minutes.
After doing some research on the causes of white exhaust, I assumed it was the head gasket and took it to a mechanic expecting him to reach the same conclusion. To my surprise though, he told me that my car had passed the normal pressure and compression tests and that he didn't think it would be a head gasket issue. The only thing that he could think it would be is a water pump gasket failure, but I have not yet noticed any coolant in my oil. Since this, I have taken it to two other shops but nobody can really key in on what's causing the intermittent white exhaust. The car has been running fine during all of this, the only thing that is a little different is that it will sometimes heat up a little more then it usually does (1/2 up the gauge instead of 1/3). Also, it has had a bad thermostat but I'm fairly confident that it never overheated. I'm looking for any ideas that anyone might have and I was also wondering what other possible ways (other then head gasket) that coolant/water could be entering the cylinders to produce the white exhaust? Thanks.

 

Anyone have any ideas? Don't be shy lol.

 

Sounds like a cracked cylinder head

 

Are you loosing coolant? White smoke usually indicates coolant getting into the cylinders, or condensation (normal) when it is cold outside.